• Loading stock data...
Saturday, May 31, 2025

FuboTV to Add ESPN to Streaming Lineup as Part of Deal With Disney

  • Both live and video on demand ESPN content will be available through FuboTV’s base $54.99 package.
  • FuboTV has relied on its catalog of news and entertainment options to keep viewers entertained during the pandemic.
Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

FuboTV has inked a multi-year distribution agreement with Disney Media Networks, a move that brings all of ESPN’s linear channels to the over-the-top streaming service for the first time.

While FuboTV has categorized itself as a sports-first OTT platform since its founding in 2015, the omittance of ESPN on its service was a noticeable difference between itself and competitors YouTube TV, Sling, and Hulu. 

Both live and video on demand ESPN content will be available this summer as part of FuboTV’s base $54.99 package. Additional ESPN-owned networks, including SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, and ESPN Deportes, will be available through FuboTV’s add-on packages.

The new agreement also includes distribution rights for Disney Channel, Freeform, FX, and National Geographic, FuboTV said. Disney does not typically sell the rights to ESPN as a one-off purchase. Instead, those looking to take advantage of the sports network’s offerings are required to buy a larger bundle.

Even without live sports, average monthly television hours consumed by FuboTV subscribers are now up over 140 during the coronavirus pandemic compared to 129 hours in December, with the average subscriber watching as much as 8.5 hours per day, CEO David Gandler said during an investor presentation on June 17. 

FuboTV, like its competitors during the coronavirus pandemic, has relied on its catalog of news and entertainment options to keep viewers entertained. While most professional leagues in the U.S. are set to return next month, FuboTV is again broadcasting soccer from Europe’s top leagues. 

“Our base package offers consumers significant value, while consumers who want even more great sports and entertainment content can access it with our premium packages,” said Ben Grad, head of content strategy and acquisition at FuboTV, in a statement. “As live sports return, but without spectators, streaming games at home will be even more important than ever.”

READ MORE: ESPN’s New ‘Monday Night’ Team Hinges On College Football

Following the additions of both NHL Network and MLB Network in March, Grad told Front Office Sports that FuboTV weighs both how often specific content is being viewed and distribution costs to determine what other rights the company needs to acquire. Arguably the most significant factor is how much new rights might drive further customer acquisition. 

“We have discussions with other parties in the market about what they charge for their content and make determinations and estimates about how much our customers would watch that,” he said.

And yet, FuboTV knows it cannot own the rights to everything. 

“I would say it does not make sense for any new entry like us that is trying to compete at our price point to take all of the content available on cable because then we could not be able to provide much, if any, discounts,” Grad said. “We are not looking to replicate the cable model.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Panthers-Oilers Rematch Could Be Big in Canada. Will U.S. Ratings Dip?

Likely viewership declines in the U.S. are countered by robust Canadian audiences.
Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) injures left shoulder whilte attempt to steal second base in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

Yankees-Dodgers Clash Draws TV Spotlight, Sky-High Prices

The teams’ lone regular-season series features three nationally aired games.
Jun 7, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Eva Longoria throws the first pitch prior to the game between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field.

Can ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ Spin-Off on Mexican Team Necaxa Be As Big..

Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, and Eva Longoria are executive-producing the series.

Featured Today

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 28, 2025

NBA East Finals Delivers Strong TV Ratings, but West Is Struggling

The Pacers and Thunder are both up 3–1 in their conference finals series.
May 30, 2025

French Open Scheduling Sparks Backlash Over Women’s Time Slots

Coco Gauff has also said the French Open schedule could be improved.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Around the Horn
May 23, 2025

Behind the Scenes of Around the Horn’s Final Days

FOS followed Tony Reali at the penultimate taping of the ESPN icon.
Around the Horn - October 26, 2020
May 23, 2025

‘Quirky, Nutty, Bombastic’: 10 ‘Around the Horn’ Faces on Their Top Moments

“A quirky, nutty, bombastic, mostly wrong, sometimes right, crazy sports family.”
May 22, 2025

NBC Eyes MLB Rights, Looks to Own Sunday Nights Year-Round

The league continues to shop media rights being forfeited by ESPN.
May 21, 2025

Paige Bueckers’s WNBA Debut Delivers 121% Ratings Bump on Ion

Friday’s doubleheader averaged 612,000 viewers.